Nigeria declares Fourth Wave Of COVID-19 as infections surge

21 Dec Nigeria declares Fourth Wave Of COVID-19 as infections surge

With the spread of the Omicron variant, Nigeria has entered its fourth wave of the COVID pandemic. The director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ifedayo Adetifa, who announced the development in a statement on Monday, advised Nigerians to take caution during the Yuletide season.

His statement read, “Nigeria has recorded a 500% increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks across the country caused by the Delta and Omicron variants. As of 19th December 2021, a total of 223,887 cases and 2985 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The country is now in a fourth COVID-19 wave. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as NCDC and its partners, are therefore intensifying risk communication efforts to remind Nigerians of the risk we face and need to take collective responsibility to reduce transmission of the virus.

“The response to COVID-19 requires a whole-of-society approach. Therefore, individuals, families and institutions also need to play their part in protecting each other by ensuring adherence to COVID-19 public health and social measures. Critically, Nigerians are urged to adhere to recommended measures by NCDC and other public health authorities, as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.

“Please avoid all non-essential travel within and outside Nigeria to reduce the risk of transmission. The virus that causes COVID-19 is more likely to spread in mass gatherings especially when held indoors with full capacity and poor ventilation.

“We strongly recommend outdoor events with physical distancing, compulsory use of facemasks, and provision of handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers. Please make use of every opportunity provided to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The government has made these vaccines available for all eligible citizens and booster doses available for those previously vaccinated.

Tuesday Caseload: On Monday, Nigeria reported 1368 new cases, 123 recoveries and zero deaths. So, there are now 225255 confirmed cases, 211660 recoveries and 2985 deaths recorded in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory

The  new cases were reported in 19 states and the FCT as follows: Lagos (844), FCT (209), Oyo (58), Abia (51), Ondo (39), Ogun (30), Kaduna (26), Delta (20), Akwa Ibom (17), Osun (15), Ekiti (12), Anambra (7), Zamfara (7), Cross River (6), Kano (6), Kwara (6), Rivers (6), Bauchi (5), Gombe (3) and Plateau (1)

The NCDC explained that the report contains a backlog of 33 cases from Anambra and Kaduna, and a backlog of 24 discharges from Anambra and the FCT.

* In the US, the Omicron variant now accounts for 73% of coronavirus infections.

* The World Health Organization’s chief scientist said on Monday it was too early to conclude the Omicron variant was milder than other coronavirus strains, saying it could still make enough people sick to “overburden” healthcare systems.

* On the economic front, the Omicron variant shook confidence in major markets, while the World Economic Forum scheduled to hold an in-person event in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21 has been cancelled for an online series of “State of the World” sessions.